Chiefs strike early in Suva

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While the Crusaders dominated possession and territory, the Chiefs were more clinical in their use of the ball they secured, striking quickly with two tries in two minutes midway through the first half.

Inside centre Anton Lienert-Brown set up the first with a sweet inside pass to playmaker Aaron Cruden, who looped a long ball for Tim Nanai-Williams to score in the right corner.

Left winger James Lowe grabbed the second when he toed through a Cruden kick ahead in the 23rd minute and Crusaders winger George Bridge couldn’t haul in a wickedly bouncing ball.

The Crusaders hit back in the 26th minute, Bedwell-Curtis finishing a move, sparked by fullback Damian McKenzie’s counter-attack, and set up by a mazy run from centre Jack Goodhue.